TOBY GOODMAN puts forward the case for the legalisation of incest. Incest – the sexual contact between two individuals who are biologically related – has long been one of mankind’s greatest taboos. It is one of the few sexual perversions that is rallied against in practically every society in history, due mainly to an ingrained biological disgust. It is currently classified as illegal in the UK in the Sexual Offences Act 2003, where the penalties include imprisonment for up to 2 years and/or a fine. However, it is time that its legal position is re-evaluated. Incest’s prohibition constitutes an unjustified restraint on individual sexual autonomy, and the legalisation of incestuous sexual activity should be considered the next great sexual hurdle that society must overcome. Before beginning, the parameters of the prohibition must be described. Firstly, we should note that rape, paedophilia and grooming are all separate sexual offences per se. If a father rapes his…Continue Reading